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Show 144 EXPLOH.ATION OF TilE OANONS 01~ THE OOLORADO. ets often occur, and, as every shower washes down great quantities of the soft, clayey soil of the basin, the stream frequently presents the appearance • of a river of mud. So great is the quantity of the clay held in solution that considerable difficulty is experienced in using its waters for irrigation at the Paria settlement. When turned into the fields it soon covers the whole smface with an impervious coat, that effectually prevents the water from sinking into the soil. The canon of Table Cliff Creek is wider than that of the Paria, and contains some hundreds of acres of land that might be cultivated, except for the limited quantity of water the creek affords. On the mesas, in the Paria Basin, is a considerable extent of grazing land. The lower end of Potato Valley is elevated about five thousand feet above the sea level, and contains two thousand acres of arable land. Potato Creek would easily furnish sufficient water to irrigate it. In the upper portion of this valley are many acres of fine, natural meadows, while on the mesas and in t}le broken country is a fine range for cattle. We found no arable land within the limits of Escalante Basin. The eastern slope of the Aquarius Plateau has an average elevation of 7,000 feet, and, though too high for cultivation, it furnishes the finest natural facilities for grazing. Grass grows abundantly everywhere, and streams of pure, cool ·water are met at intervals of every two or three miles. Indeed, from the depth, rapidity, and number of the streams we crossed flowing into the Escalante Basin, we supposed the river of that name carried twice the amount of water as the Paria, but when the boat party arrived at its junction with the Colorado, they found only a small stream, that a man could leap across; the greater portion had been absorbed, or evaporated in the sandstone basin. Along Pleasant Creek are about a thousand acres of land, which the water of the creek might be used to inigate. We saw no arable land, and but one spring that we thought permanent, in the Henry Mountains. There is a ~ma~l stream, lvhich we called Trachyte Creek, east of the raoge, and flowmg mto the Colorado. There are some good grazing lands along its course, but none fit for cultivation. I estimate that not more than one per cent. of the land adjacent to our DISTANOE, ETO. 145 route of travel can be cultivated, but sixty per cent. is of greater or less value for grazing. DISTANCE, ETC • The distance traveled by the main party, to the mouth of the Dirty Devil River, was two hundred and eighty miles, through a country, for the most part, completely unknown. I have not been able to find any evidence that white men ever before visited any considerable portion of the country explored. With the data collected, we shall be able to make a valuable reconnaissance map, showing the general features of the region, and quite full in detail, along the route traveled. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, A. H. THOMPSON. J . W. PowELL, In charge Exploration of the Colorado River, and its Tributaries. 19 OOL |
